testimonials


“Sam is an astonishingly brilliant and sensitive musician with an international career. Anyone who has the chance of learning with him will be lucky indeed. In addition to his technical virtuosity on guitar he is, as a teacher, patient, warm, encouraging, generous and versatile in approach. He takes endless trouble to explain technique, harmony and musicality. He is an excellent and communicative authority on musicianship and musical history. His lessons are always so much more than just guitar. He manages to combine being a master and expert with being just delightful company. He raises your confidence while giving you the feeling that he too has struggled. He makes you not only unselfconsciously aware of your own musicality but able to start to express it freely. He has the ability to change and enhance your whole relationship with music." Laura

“Sam is a brilliant teacher for advanced amateur classical guitarists. His pedagogy is based on a really thorough grounding, establishing the musical building blocks with which to understand the construction of any new piece of music. Sam nurtures his students with patience and good humour, drawing them up to his exacting musical standards of professional performance. Moreover, a deeper appreciation of the music unfolds through introducing his students to right- and left-hand techniques more typical of music graduates. Sam is immensely gifted as both a teacher and performer and any student of his will count their blessings to have fallen under his care.” Jeremy

“We are delighted to say a few words about Sam who has been teaching our 12 year old daughter for nearly 2 years now. Sam has been a weekly visitor to our house arriving punctually and cheerfully for an early evening lesson. We always enjoy hearing the conversation between Sam and our daughter and the music that issues forth is an absolute delight. Sam has a real knack with children; our daughter thoroughly enjoys her lessons, with real progress in evidence but achieved with humour and fun. We would highly recommend Sam to other parents.” Karin & Nigel

“Informative, inspiring, and effective. Sam has helped improved my playing, understanding, and appreciation of music in a short time, and has excited me about music more than any teacher I've had before. Can't recommend him enough.” Ed

“As an absolute beginner to learning a musical instrument, I was pleased to be given my first lute lesson with Sam as a present. After the first hour I was hooked. Sam has made the learning experience both interesting and enjoyable. His teaching approach is warm, patient and encouraging and his love for music shines through. More recently we’ve been doing lessons over Skype which has proved as effective as a traditional face to face lesson. I’m so glad that Sam has introduced me to this wonderful instrument.” Marc

“I have been working with Sam for more than a year now. He is an ideal teacher, encouraging, friendly, and technically very fine indeed. Each lesson we do some practice working on a piece, and might talk about the care of the lute, and general musical topics, whatever is interesting to us both or top of the news. He has taught me many things in our time together, including music theory, defeating the many technical challenges of the lute, and what the life of a professional musician is like. I cannot recommend Sam highly enough.” Peter

“Sam is an excellent teacher who is always patient and positive. I feel we are always making progress and I would recommend anyone at any age to start learning guitar." Les

“My son was on the verge of giving up guitar after four years and four increasingly uninspired teachers provided by the school's music service. A musician friend suggested Sam and I was impressed by his website and teaching philosophy. It was the philosophy that pupils should always enjoy their music and feel like they're making progress that persuaded my son to give him a go. He has never looked back! He loves his lessons, obviously really likes Sam who, as well as the above and the proper technique, has also taught him a wider appreciation of music and bits of music theory, organically, as things have cropped up in lessons. My son has approved this review(!) and adds, 'He's a great teacher!'.” Helen

“Sam’s competence to teach the lute goes without saying. With me he without hesitation took on a challenge - complete beginner and over 70! The fingers and brain just aren’t as flexible they used to be. Yet, over the last six months he’s been patient, encouraging and when necessary gave me a gentle push. Cannot recommend him highly enough. If he can successfully teach me he can teach anyone.” Barry

"I have been learning the guitar with Sam for six months and found him to be an excellent teacher. He has a warm, friendly personality but at the same time is very professional. Sam’s technique is really impressive and he is very good at demonstrating and giving technical advice. He has introduced me to many interesting pieces and has been very flexible in allowing me to choose a wide range of repertoire. I'd thoroughly recommend Sam. I am enjoying learning with him very much." Julie

"Sam is an excellent teacher with a real passion for guitar. His interesting historical insights into pieces and the guitar in general are real bonuses to already superb lessons! Would highly recommend." Thom

"Sam has been teaching classical guitar to my fifteen year old son on a weekly basis for the past few months. During that time, I have found Sam to be courteous, reliable and professional at all times, as well as being an inspirational guitar teacher. I would highly recommend him." Martine

"I have been learning classical guitar with Sam for the last few months. I am extremely happy to have found Sam as my teacher, and highly recommend him to others wishing to learn or develop. He communicates very clearly, he demonstrates and explains well all aspects of playing and theory. He has made learning a very pleasant experience, and I feel such good personal progress under Sam's tuition. It is always nice to have him in my home. A very polite, respectful and mature young man." Richard